A comprehensive feature on Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler has shed some light on how the 30th overall draft pick has changed over the course of his ascent to stardom. Michael Pina of Vice Sports spent a day with the swingman, who describes himself as a difficult person to be around.
This season Butler has been reunited with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, the man at the helm in Chicago when Butler evolved from a fringe roster player to a key rotation piece into a star. For the last two years, however, Butler played under a different coach.
“I’m confrontational. I feed off of confrontation. It makes me go,” Butler said. “Not everybody’s like that. [Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg] is not that coach, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There are different coaching styles and people are gonna say—which is what they did say—’It’s gonna be Jimmy’s team or it’s gonna be Fred’s team.’ Two total opposite ends of the spectrum.”
Be sure to check out the long-read for fresh perspective on the Timberwolves guard’s backstory and mentality heading forward.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division tonight:
- After playing the 2016/17 campaign at 200 pounds, Damian Lillard has dropped down to 190. The Trail Blazers star has adopted a vegan diet, Mike Richman of The Oregonian writes.
- Limited to a small role in his rookie season with the Nuggets, Juan Hernangomez has gotten plenty of chances to strut his stuff with the Spanish National Team at EuroBasket 2017. A report on Denver’s official team site has more.
- After two years of plying his trade in the G League, Dakari Johnson is ready to suit up for the Thunder. As Erik Horne of the Oklahoman writes, the second-round pick is settling in to his duties with the big league club.